2019 Portage Summer Music Series presents: a festival of music, food, and fun on August 4

Event Information

Bring the whole family, neighbors, and friends to enjoy a fun-tastic and FREE summer music fest, with three great bands performing! Overdue, Vintage Postcard, and The Newports will heat up the stage between 3:30 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 4, 2019, at the Indiana American Water Company Pavilion at Founders Square Park in Portage, Indiana! It's all part of the 2019 Portage Summer Music Series of free concerts at Founders Square Park, which continues with concerts on the first Sunday in August and September. The Indiana American Water Company Pavilion at Founders Square Park is located on the north side of Portage Fire Station #3, at 6300 Central  Avenue. 

Overdue is a high-energy party rock band that has been performing fests and local venues in northwest Indiana for the past 15 years. A typical Overdue show covers a wide variety of songs, including tunes of John Mellencamp, Tom Petty, Rick Springfield, The Cars, Green Day, Bon Jovi, Prince, Matchbox 20, Poison, Oasis, Zack Brown Band, Luke Bryan, Violent Femmes, Def Leppard, and many, many more! Talented band members are Doug Clapp, vocals; Steve Termini, guitar/vocals; Brian Gulley, bass/vocals; and Jeremy Lippelt on drums.  

Big Band meets 2019 when Vintage Postcard hits the stage. Covering several musical genres of modern tunes with their jazzy, nostalgic twist, the band pays tribute to Peggy Lee, Etta James, and Frank Sinatra while sporting elaborate fashions of decade’s past!Founded by Amy O’Brien (lead vocalist) and Jeff Otto (keys/vocalist) of northwest Indiana, the band also features James Simon (trumpet), Larry Meschi (saxophone/clarinet), Nathan O’Brien (guitar), Roy Robley (drums), and Bob Teske (bass).Vintage Postcard has performed in various venues throughout the Chicagoland region and added bonuses of attending Vintage Postcard concerts include fun in-between-set banter, powerhouse vocals, as well as some shimmying and shaking.

The Newports' roots are in Chicago's south suburbs and this band's playlist of blues, rock, funk, and soul has that distinctive Chicago vibe. The band's  unique sound features: a tight, soulful four-piece horn section under the direction of Sonny Lee Tritt on sax; the harmonica magic of Jumpin' Gene Halton; R&B keyboard and vocal stylings of Eddie Beard; the high-energy lead guitar and vocals of wild man Mark Rongers; Ralph Whipple on trumpet; Darryl Neil X on baritone sax; Jeff Sachs on trombone and guitar; Gene Nourie on drums; and Bill Bielby, bass player and business manager. Performing regularly at various venues in the greater Chicago area, northwest Indiana, and southwest Michigan, every Newports concert is a soulful performance that always has crowds applauding for more.

Concert-goers may wish to bring a blanket or lawn chair.  Bring a picnic basket or purchase food and refreshments at Da Portable Rican and Fresh Express Burgers food trucks, Diamond Dogs and Pizza, and a Wine/Beer tent by Clancy's will also be on the premises.  For shade, or If rain threatens, bring an umbrella: concerts will be held in all but violent weather.

Also on the premises,  the following non-profit community organizations will have booths set up, so be sure to stop by to learn more about them: Center for Possibilities, Portage Township YMCA, Positive Approach to Teen Health (PATH), Bonner Senior Center, Gabriel's Horn Shelter, Portage Food Pantry, Portage Library, and Gabis Arboretum.

Donations of non-perishable food, personal items, and paper products for the Portage Food Pantry and Gabriel's Horn Women's Homeless Shelter are welcomed for collection at every concert, but are not required.

Save this date for the remaining 2019 Portage Summer Music Fest to be held at Founders Square Park, scheduled Sunday, September 1st, from 3:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Three great bands will be performing:

• Jerica Paliga (Country Pop)
• Jamrose (Rock, Pop, Soul)
• Soundz of Santana (Latin Rock, Santana Cover Band)

The 2019 Portage Summer Music Series is produced in collaboration with Portage Township Live Entertainment Association (PTLEA), the Greater Portage Chamber of Commerce, and the Portage Department of Parks and Recreation. The Founders Square Park concert series is made possible by the City of Portage Founders Fund, a 501 (c) (3) fund held by Porter County Community Foundation, and Indiana Dunes Tourism.

The 2019 Portage Summer Music Series Committee includes: PTLEA board members Jose Moreno, Terry Hardin, Linda Hardin, Paul Panicali, Dushanka Milatovic, and Joe Shukstor;  Nancy Simpson, Executive Director of the Greater Portage Chamber of Commerce; and Lori Wilkie, Assistant Superintendent of the Portage Department of Parks and Recreation.For more information about the 2019 Portage Summer Music Series at Founders Square Park, contact: the Greater Portage Chamber of Commerce at (219) 762-3300; Portage Parks and Recreation at (219) 762-1675; Terry Hardin (PTLEA) at (219) 762-5025, or visit the PTLEA website at www.portagemusic.com.